One Heart To Another

Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Princess Mononoke. I only own my own characters, thank you.

Enjoy, I am hoping to have this story go far.

The wind swept through the small gorge, a soft scent of Jasmine twirled with the breeze, the soft petals landing haphazardly along the grassy hills; and the dirt roads. Dust soon joined the wind's path as travelers, merchants, marched their way slowly towards the secluded town up ahead.

"Mommy? When can we stop and eat? I'm hungry!" A young child exclaimed, her tiny hands clutching her mother's own larger hand.

"Hush, Himiro. We will be at Iron town before the day is through."

A tall man underneath an umbrella walked up next to the pair, his gaze on the road ahead. "As long as I can get a warm meal, a smooth surface to sleep on and a warm partner, I'm happy." His sideways look at the woman beside him was sly and male. "You may recognize a few friends there, huh, Kimoshi?"

The mother stiffened, her grip on her daughters hand tightened as her other hand automatically raised to keep her kimono closed. "Leave us be, Amiboshi. You've no right to bring such things up. My past is behind me."

"Your past is right next to you." The man, Amiboshi, chuckled at the woman's obvious discomfort and hurried his pace to meet up ahead with others.

"Mommy, what did he mean?"

Lost in her anger and thoughts, Kimoshi closed her brown eyes for a moment before regaining her control. Her hand dropped from her Kimono and she opened her gaze to look down at her daughter. "What child?"

"He said your past is next to you. But I'm the only one here."

Smiling at the innocence, she bent and caught her child up into her arms. "He meant nothing, Himiro. Just grown up talk. For now, we need to look to the future, not our past. Iron town is said to be a beautiful place with trees and other children."

"Will there be Asano?"

Kimoshi's smile faded. "No. There will be no Asano, child. Lady Eboshi is the leader of Iron town and she is said to be wise and gentle. Even Lord Ashitaka is there."

The girl's big eyes lit up at the mention of the hero of her bedtime stories. "Ashitaka is there?"

"As far as I know he is." Swinging her child to her other hip, she tickled the girl's chin as she began to re-tell the tale of a year past; of how Lord Ashitaka had fought to find a cure for a curse and the wolf girl's plight against the destruction of the great forest spirit . Of how the destruction of man was brought into the light.

"Open the gates!"

"Come on, men! Push!"

"Oh, look, it seems they really are useless!"

Listening to the women laugh as the men struggled to lift the renewed gate for the merchant group, Ashitaka stood on the ramparts, watching the people pull their wagons and lead their oxen into the enclosure. His hair was longer now, past his shoulders but only just. The leather strap was the only thing that kept the mass in check behind him. Though he wore the same make of garments that were entitled to him, his stronger build and matured structure made him different than a year ago. "I do not like this. We can't keep supporting travelers and work on the town all at once.

Toki, now heavy with a child and on leave from duty at the bellows, stood next to Ashitaka, though her attention was on the laughter below than on the guests coming in. "Yeah? Well, Lady Eboshi knows what she's doing. I'm sure the trade the merchants bring give us some sort of benefit. Besides, remember the last caravan that came here. What was it, a month ago?"

"A month and four days."

"Right, didn't that older man know you? Didn't he sharpen your sword? That was definitely a benefit, wasn't it?"

Was it? Ashitaka frowned for a moment as the bright color of the older man's kimono flashed through his mind's eye. It was a bright yellow, vibrant against the white of his beard, and perfect for attracting attention.

"Come and get your rice! I have plenty here for all! No need to rush now! I say- lad. Is that a Bonishi sword you have there?"

Ashitaka, managing to gain a few extra hours of relax time, stopped at the man's query, his hand automatically grasping the hilt of his weapon. Though shock was registered, Ashitaka kept his appearance calm and controlled. Did he know this man? "Yes it is, sir."

"Well I'll be, I haven't seen one of them in at least a couple of decades. My old master used to say to me: 'Let the blade speak for its self and let it speak softly.' Well this sword just up and sang to me! May I take a look at the blade, son?"

"It's Ashitaka." Having a gut feeling that he could trust the man, Ashitaka drew his sword and presented it to the tired hands that cradled it almost lovingly.

"And I'm Gimiru. Master sword maker, at your service," The man's old graying eyes darted up to Ashitaka's face, a whispered word made to the boy. My prince.

Now surprise was clear upon Ashitaka's face as the name sank in. Gimiru had indeed been a master sword smith, still was apparently. From his childhood, he could remember talk of the man and of how he had served his people time and again during war; created swords of unparallel strength and power that would take any warrior to victory.

"M-master Gimiru?"

Eyeing the blade's edge, the old man spared Ashitaka little attention, so immersed was hi in the study of the sword. "It needs sharpening. Come, I've a stone that requires water and an ear that would love to hear some tales." Grunting as he stood, he spoke quickly to an apprentice boy of his instructions on the handing out of the rice. Moving through the crowd, he motioned for Ashitaka to follow.

The pair had come to a rest by the lake's edge, Gimiru wetting his stone to begin the delicate process of sharpening the sword. "It has been a long time, Prince Ashitaka. I have heard many tales about your travels."

Flicking a couple pebbles into the lake, Ashitaka nodded, watching the ripples disappear. "Not as many as I have heard of you, Master Gimiru. I am glad you are well and still of your trade."

"Some trade," he scoffed. " I'm selling rice now. Bundles and bushels of the crap. Though I admit I get the occasional treat of tending to a sword now and then." The man's hands glided smoothly over the blade, the wet stone brushed tenderly against the shifting steel. "And you, young prince?"

"I am no longer a prince, Gimiru and you know it. I am simple Ashitaka now."

"Ah yes, a man like any other," Gimiru's voice chuckled. "Tell me then, Ashitaka. What becomes of you now?"

What does become of me now? "I am mending to Iron town for the moment."

"And when the project is complete?"

"I don't know." Chucking another pebble into the lake, Ashitaka watched it sink below its surface. San.

"Were the stories true? Did you really have a demon's curse upon your arm?"

"Yes."

"And did you see the Forest's spirit head blow off from Lady Eboshi's gun shot?"

"Yes.

"Was the wolf girl as courageous as she is told to be? Was the battle of the pigs and human's fierce?"

"Both are true."

"Is the wolf girl-"

"San." Ashitaka snapped, jamming his hands into his trousers.

"Forgive me, San. Is San also the beauty of the land?"

:"What is the point in asking me such things, Gimiru?" Spinning on his heel, Ashitaka glared at the sword smith; the man's chuckle grating on his nerves.

"Forgive an old man for his want to gabber on. It is silent work, what I do, and it is nice to have my questions answered while I work no my companion's blade."

"No," Ashitaka frowned, sighing against the tension in his chest. "I should be the one to apologize. Forgive me, the repairs on the boilers have been difficult and long. I haven't had much sleep lately.

"You are forgiven, now answer the question, Ashitaka."

"I don't know." Oh but I do.

"You don't know or won't tell: Gimiru smiled at Ashitaka's look. "I may be an old man but my earsand eyes are keen, child. Do you not wish to fulfill your duty to the wolf princess?"

Ignoring the pain that filled his chest, he turned away from Giniru, viewing the town. "She left to find better kill with her brothers. With the forest depleted of protection, the prey chose to go further east, to more lush forests. I have no duty to San if she does not require it."

"True, but the forest is growing and the creatures are returning."

Hope sprung up in Ashitaka at Gimiru's words. Could San and her brothers be back in the forest here? Would they be occupying their old den? Wait- no. That couldn't work. He hadn't heard a wolf's howl since they had departed in search for food. "It doesn't matter."

"Yes- it does, however- she is keen and alive again."

"Since when was San ever not vibrant and alive?" There was regret in his voice.

"No lad, your blade. She is sharp and in fine order now." With a whoop of air, Gimiru stood from his crouched position and handed Ashitaka's sword back to him.

Caught off guard, Ashitaka took his sword back and gave it a practice swing against a small weed and was immensely pleased at the sensation not felt.

. He had cut through air for all he knew. "It is perfect. Thank you, Gimiru. What would you take as payment before we return for supper?"

"An answer."

Watching the older man's white beard shift slightly with the breeze, Ashitaka smiled and bowed. "She is."

San is the most beautiful creature that has ever graced the Earth.

Ashitaka watched the last person enter through the gates, an older woman with what appeared to be her grandson. Taking a deep breath that strained the seems of his tunic, he turned and smiled at Toki. "Of course it was. I guess I'm just worn out from this week's progress."

"That would do it. Look, I'm starving! I wonder if Lady Eboshi still has some of that jerky that she traded silver for, I mean I know everyone has to have her own share but seriously, my baby counts for at least two don't you –"

Toki's ranting faded as Ashitaka's thoughts drowned her out. His gaze shifted from his pregnant friend to the mountains behind her and then to the sloping hills that ;lead further away from the town, further into San's territory. Too long had he been out of contact with the princess Mononoke and he wondered when the opportunity would present itself to allow him to search her out. After all, he could have sworn he had heard a wolf's howl last night.

Will add more later Thank you for reading. If you want to leave a comment, thanks a bunch!

-Chiisan